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Join Our Wikipedia Edit-a-thons

Help increase the representation of women online by contributing to the largest free and open encyclopedia on the web. Beginners and experts are welcome!

Why Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is a free and open encyclopedia. Available in over 300 languages, it is consistently in the top 10 of most viewed websites globally.

However, Wikipedia isn't fully representative. Only 19% of biographies on the site are about women and only 10% of Wikipedia’s editors identify as women. The Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative is committed to working towards equity on Wikipedia by adding women from our collections to the site.

Why Edit-a-thons?

Edit-a-thons are public events where we collaborate to learn how to edit Wikipedia together (training is provided at every event) about a variety of topics throughout the Smithsonian museums. These events are best suited for participants 16 and up who can make well-sourced additions to the site. 


 

Programs

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 1–3:30 p.m. (ET)

WikiAPA Edit-a-thon: Leaving a Legacy with Densho

Register

Image
Graphic with event info and photos of Japanese Americans during World War II framed as polaroids against a background that resembles a wooden table.
Images of Guyo Tajiri, courtesy of Densho's Guyo Tajiri collection

With the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

February 19 marks the anniversary of Executive Order 9066, an authorization signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt which led to the incarceration of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry to concentration camps during World War II. In honor of this Day of Remembrance, this WikiAPA Edit-a-thon will address the underrepresentation of Japanese and Japanese American women on Wikipedia and Wikidata, especially those who were incarcerated during World War II and were active in speaking out and writing about their experiences. Specifically, this events’ worklist has been inspired by the women found in Densho’s archives and collections. Densho’s namesake is a Japanese term meaning “to pass on to the next generation,” or to leave a legacy. By participating in this event, we hope you’ll join us in continuing these notable women’s legacies on Wikipedia.


Past Progress

Since 2019, volunteers at our events increased the representation of American women on Wikipedia. Together, articles with our changes have received more than 10,636,935 million views. We have added/edited:

  • 1,706,815 words
  • 11,712 references 
  • 1,431 new articles

In addition, participants at events learned the skills to to edit Wikipedia anytime they want.


 

Past Programs

View the worklists for past events by clicking on each event title.

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

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